The Most Famous Surrogacy Babies in the World

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is one of the most popular assisted reproductive technologies globally. It is a practice where a woman, referred to as the surrogate mother, carries a baby for another couple or an individual. The more popular form of surrogacy is commercial or gestational surrogacy where the surrogate mother has no genetic relationship with the baby. Doctors use the biological material of the intended parents or a donor to create an embryo. The most essential factor is that one of the intended parents must have a genetic connection to the baby. This means that even if a donor is involved, they can only contribute to the egg or the sperm and not both. One of the gametes must come from the intended parents. Some notable celebrities have done this and we have made a list of some of the most famous surrogacy babies in the world.

Some Things to Know Before Starting the Surrogacy Process

Different countries have different regulations concerning commercial surrogacy, with most only offering the service to heterosexual couples who have genuine medical conditions that prevent them from conceiving or have used other assisted reproductive technologies repeatedly with no success. While the procedure and arrangements have existed since the 1980s, the expense and intensiveness of the process have made it difficult for several couples that need it to access it. However, influential and wealthy people are admitting to their decisions to use a surrogate, either for medical reasons or for practical ones. 

It is crucial to discuss all the legal, financial and other logistical and emotional aspects with the doctor. Also, if an individual is in a country that does not allow surrogacy, they could engage the service of meditour agencies or medical travel agencies, who will then offer the service as a form of overseas medical treatment. This can be a form of health tourism or medical tourism. 

Some of the Most Famous Surrogacy Babies in the World and their Parents

The list of the most famous babies gotten through surrogacy are: 

The surrogate babies of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West 

Kim Kardashian suffered from placenta accrete when she was pregnant with her daughter North. She also suffered from other pregnancy-related complications, like a hole in the uterus and pre-eclampsia in two of her subsequent pregnancies. Doctors then told her that she could not get pregnant again. This then led to her and her husband choosing to use surrogacy to have two more children, Chi West and Psalm West. She has also been very open and positive about the experience, talking about meeting with the surrogate and her husband before starting the service, and using a therapist to facilitate communication between them.

Surrogate baby from Paris Hilton and Carter Reum 

After their marriage, the couple wasted no time in trying to have a baby. They were advised by Kim Kardashian about the surrogacy and IVF process, and this led to her using the service. She and her husband welcomed their baby boy, Phoenix, via surrogacy in January 2023.

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson 

Khloe Kardashian welcomed her second child with Thompson via surrogate, a process she said that her sister Kim helped her go through. She said her experiences with the surrogate were not as smooth and comfortable as her sisters’ because she claims to be a control freak.

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra 

The couple explained about using a surrogate to deliver their daughter, Malti, because they experienced medical complications trying to conceive. They also revealed that their surrogate agreed to take care of the child for about six months before they took her, saying that she was generous, kind and funny.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin 

The couple welcomed a seventh child, a daughter via surrogate. Hilaria also opened up about the process saying that being open and talking about the whole process was the best advice that she had received.

Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union

Union wrote extensively about her attempts to conceive in her memoir, from her countless miscarriages, and how her husband eventually convinced her to use a surrogate that they found named Natalie. She was also very worried about the impact of the decisions on the closeness and familiarity she would share with her daughter, whether it would be impacted by the fact that she did not carry her for nine months.

Anderson Cooper 

He is co-parenting his two sons, both of whom he had through surrogacy, with his former partner and current best friend. The celebrity praised the surrogate mother of his second son saying that the sacrifices she and her entire family made towards the child had been extraordinary.

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka 

The couple explained that they use an anonymous egg donor for both of their twin babies. They also revealed that they implanted their surrogate with two embryos, one that was fertilized with Burka’s sperm and the other with Harris’s. They also claim that they are not aware of which is which.

Jordana Brewster 

After undergoing multiple rounds of IVF, Brewster and her husband finally resorted to surrogacy. Even though the actor explained an unwillingness to and an initial shame to take the offered maternity leave. Now, she is vocal about her issues with conceiving and the stigma that was surrounding her use of IVF.

Dennis and Kimberly Quaid 

The couple welcomed twins after Kimberly suffered multiple miscarriages. And they found the surrogate. She also said that the surrogate had a miscarriage as well before eventually giving birth. It was so hard to have these children.

Andy Cohen 

He has a son and daughter who were delivered via different surrogates and are biologically siblings. He revealed that he suggested that the same egg donor should be used for all his embryos. Also, he stated that he had about two or three embryos left and that if his children grew up and had a desire to raise their siblings, they could be able to do so.

Tyra Banks 

The top model tried unsuccessfully to conceive through IVF for a year and a half with her ex-boyfriend Erik Asla. This ultimately led to her turning to surrogacy. This eventually led to the delivery of her son, York, in 2016.